I do this at least once a year with my cars and as I've been so busy, I didn't think Emma would get the royal treatment before the weather turned again. Well I started with phase one tonight and it took right about two hours so I'm darn tired but here's what's been done and what's to come.

Phase One:

> Jack vehicle up one corner at a time and remove respective wheel
> Clean wheels front and back
> Remove splash guards and clean them along with the painted area behind
> Scrub wheel arches and basic suspension components

In performing phase one, I couldn't help but notice the splash guards on the right side contained a LOT more dirt than those on the left. I contribute this to puddles and run off being sent to the right side of the road.

Phase Two:

> Wash vehicle using Dawn to strip old sealant and wax
> Clay entire car
> Perform single-step polish using light finishing polish (Menzerna PO85RD) and low-cut pad (Lake Country black) to remove fine marring induced by washing.
> Isopropyl alcohol wipe-down to remove oils from polishing process.
> Apply single coat of Blackfire Wet Diamond Sealant to all painted surface and light lenses. Allow to cure for one hour.
> 303 Aerospace Protectant applied to all black plastics inside and out
> Clean all windows.
> Vacuum carpet and floor mats.
> Dust all dash surfaces, clean navigation screen and gauge binnacle, and aluminum pedals.
> Clean and condition both front leather seats.
> Dress tires and wheel arches.

After all that is done, I have a very special photo shoot planned. But for those who thought they had high standards for cleanliness, this should give you some insight into what I define as 'a fun afternoon'.

Stay tuned.

I finally finished detailing our new Gray Limited that we got last Friday, and got stunning results. Here's my process...

Washed using a foam gun with Chemical Guys Snow Foam, then a sheepskin mitt with Turtle Wax Ice shampoo.

Did a complete clay process to remove any rail/transit gunk. Used A Clay Magic kit bought at Auto Zone. Finish was left sooooooooo smooth.

Wiped down with iso alcohol to remove any wax.

Did one coat of Chemical Guys EZ Glaze.

Then followed with a thin coat of Blackfire Wet Diamond sealant.

Waited a day to cure, and did a coat of Blackfire wax.

The gloss is INCREDIBLE. Sure, the car looked great off the lot, but this is amazing. I've used this same process on my 2011 Black Camaro, but this metallic gray just shimmers. And all are so easy on/off.

Sorry---not letting me upload pics. Will try later.

I still can't believe it... I spilled meatballs and sauce for a Christmas party into my trunk. One of the removable panels took the full brunt of sauce and I've removed it and it's been soaking in the tub. I guess I'll take some soap and a scrub brush to it. I wiped the inside of the trunk a couple of times, but I see now I'll have to take the luggage cover off and get underneath the cubby hole where some sauce seeped in. Even thought I wipe a few times, some of the upholstery still has a "smeared" look. The painful part is getting it all out of the latch area (where you connect the net).

Any suggestions?

Bound to happen...(deep sigh). I'm guessing it's from a rock.





First of all...is this something I can fix myself, or is it too deep?

I got a Meguiar's DA Polisher (about $100 through Amazon Warehouse Deals) and pads a little while ago, which I haven't used yet, though I've watched numerous YouTube tutorials. (Generous boyfriend has also offered to let me practice on his older car.) I also have Meguiar's Scratch-X, Ultimate Compound, and Ultimate Polish. My tentative plan was to use: 1) compound + polishing pad, then 2) polish + finishing pad, then 3) possibly Scratch-X (should be used last as it just covers scratches, right?). I'd been planning to do this anyway once I debadged, to get rid of some light scuffing around the logo, but I wonder if it's any good on such a small area or if it will stand out from the surrounding area...well, I'll stop rambling. Should I do it? Is there any point in using the compound and polish or should I just use Scratch-X? Thanks!

I'm re-doing the front appearance of my car... getting rid of some beat-up trim, chrome fog light covers, etc. I'd like to do a DIY on my grill with black mesh, and get clear side markers.

Removing some of this stuff will undoubtedly leave some of the old 3m tape use to stick stuff on there. I have some goo-gone, but I don't want to risk damaging the clear coat. Anyone use it on painted surfaces before?

Just finished applying some Klasse Sealant Glaze to my 1 month old 2013 Elantra GLS Sedan. (Titanium Gray Metallic ) I have only done the hood and front bumper and everything forward of the front door junctions because I wanted to see how it appeared before doing the whole car. I am sold, I really like the stuff and will continue to do the whole car. I put on 2 coats of the Glaze topped off with a coat of Meguirar's Gold Class Carnauba liquid. I am totally pleased and really like the durability factor of the Sealant Glaze.

I did not have any problems whatsoever with hand buffing the Glaze off but I applied both coats VERY thin and it came off with little or no pressure. I let it dry well with the car in the shade of my garage but the heat was 90+ but still no problems. At least from my initial experience the Sealant Glaze is very user friendly.

Questions:

1. Considering that the Klasse Sealant Glaze is so durable and for painted surfaces including Clear Coat is there any reason it could not be used on the Clear Coated Alloy Rims?

2. How does the Sealant Glaze react with the rubber trim around the windows? Does it turn white like some waxes? Is it difficult to get off if you get some on the rubber?


A couple of other products that so far I am very impressed with:

1. Griot's Garage, Rubber & Vinyl Dressing

2. Meguiar's ENDURANCE Tire Spray

Do you use anything on your windshield and windows? If so, what do you use and how do you like it.?

Over the years I have occasionally waxed a windshield but haven't in a long time so I am not familiar with what works and what doesn't.
I am familiar with Rain-X but have never used it and I have read some good stuff about a product called Aquapel.
What are your experiences with any of these products?

Well I was told by an experienced auto detailer about using dove soap to clean and condition leather.

Today was the second time i've done it in the elantra. I also did my mom's car and the leather sofa in the house.

All of the leather is clean and soft now. I feel this is a great and cost effective manner to maintain your leather.

How to use Dove soap to clean and condition leather.

1. Buy a bar of white Dove soap.
2. Partially fill a bucket with water.
3. Wet a microfiber towel in the bucket of water and lather with the soap (just like you are gonna take a shower) and then proceed to wash your leather (allow the soap to lather on the leather).
4. Use another wet microfiber towel to wipe the leather seat after soaping.
5. Use a dry microfiber towel to dry the leather.
6. Repeat and enjoy your new soft seats.

My baby, 2012 BLACK GLS, got dinged by a door at a parking lot. Probably a white car, since it has a tiny white dot on it.

What options do I have?

This is my first brand new car so I'm nervous about attempting anything myself.

Small ding is probably a square millimeter but the dent shows in certain lights.

I'm so depressed!

Please help!!

Profesionally, how much would a dealer cost? Any ballpark figures??

Any help is appreciated!

So, went to the hospital today with my wife so she could get an amniocentesis to determine if tomorrow is the day for our son....

Got to the hospital @ 6:30AM and dint leave till 11AM... Waiting and waiting... Although we got news it wouldn't be until next week I figured I'd put my time off today to good use.....

I used these products,

Just washed/clayed/waxed the car... cleaned the engine, interior, etc. I also removed some old trim stuff I put on years ago.... Enjoy!

So i got a buffer/polisher from walmart the other day and had to brake it in on the new ride. All i can say is WOW!! The car looks like brand new. This has to be the best job i have ever done. Took me about 6 hours to fully do the car. I was in no hurry to get it done. So here are the pics. Im jealous that her car looks way better than mine does. Lol!!

Before...





After...








Here is the mileage after i cleaned the car



Just a random pic!!!

I washed my car for the first time in a couple months today and did a little Klasse AIO. Car looks good.

I'm a firm believer that a few layers of wax/sealant right before winter preserves the paint. I think my car proves that.

Anyone got a link for me on how to dry wash a car ? I have all the stuff with me and just got done driving the first leg of the trip ( 7 hours ) . Currently in greenfield , IL . It's pretty dirty . I was thinking about washing it tomorrow morning before we head out or at least when I make it to okc .

Man I miss my EGT... Loved detailing it! This was after a Quick Detailing! Basically maintaining a detail job with PB QD+!

*big sigh*

I'm sure you've seen some fairly shiny pics of my cars over the years. I've used some pretty good products like Klasse AIO, P21S and the like but...



My favorite go to product is Poorboy's EX sealant with Carnauba. It combines an acrylic sealant with some carnauba wax. Not only does it go on easy and smell like banana, it works in direct sun and buffs out easy. Hell, Poorboy's even recommends applying in the sun. There's none of that powder residue either.

One of our Affiliates (Autopia Car Care), sells it and has a 15% off code (AUCOUPON) right now on everything in stock.

Check it out here:

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/poorboys-ex-sealant1.html

Hey guys been a while. Cars been sitting as I put together the parts needed for the new project. Finally started to bring her back to life and began with a little TLC on those 7 year old Hyundai headlights.

If anyone is on the fence about restoring their lights, not sure if its worth it, I hope the following pictures help you out.

My lights were not horrible, but having old school HIDs and Florida sun for 7 years has done its toll. I showed my wife after they were done and almost got in trouble for buying new lights, they really are that good.

So, if your lights are a little dim and you are thinking about a cheap thing you can do in the garage this winter, run to walmart and get to restoring them lights.

Oh and hi and all that.





-shawn

This is me detailing my other baby(Paola is the first) with Turtle Wax Black Box








I will upload a video later

We have a Secret Santa at work today and I got the Turttle Wax Black Box!!!!

Firstly I'll NEVER ever own another black car!

It looks stunning when its perfectly clean, but keeping it up is costly and frustrating.

On a good note, My Elantra is getting the full detail today.

Last week I had my front passenger door and spoiler repaired, so free of dents!

I'll post up some photos once the job is done.

Will take more pics tomorrow.... thought I'd just share!

Hey everyone! I have a shimmering white 2012 elantra GL, I love it, I wash it every week. As I'm washing it, I notice these tiny black specs on the paint. I can rub some of them off, but it takes a lot of effort and i hate them!! Impossible to get all of them... Is there any way to clean them off easier??

Well, I finally got around to wax my car this year I was burnt out from work as well as life and never went pass the wash stage with my car. Not only did I hit it with a clay bar (Boy, I forgot how loooong it took to clay a HB) I polish it and put on some much need wax. I even had time to put "Back To Black" on the trim
I was messing around with my cellphone, so bear with me with the pix's
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Not a view anyone want's to see if they got the chance to get personal with the road
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This little one was on my fathers car after his car was clean
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I picked up my Elantra Touring yesterday and noticed some handprints and smudges on the dash. I haven't tried to clean them yet and I'm not sure what to use since the dash is a flat black and I don't want anything oily or glossy.

Any suggestions?

Thank you,
Linda

I just bought a new Elantra 2012 ans was told to not wax until a year old. Can someone tell me if that is true?

So upon removing the badges from my XD (that's three total badges) I found this dirt layer outlining the letters that were once there. Soap and water just seemed to make that outlining dirt layer laugh menacingly at me as I scrubbed at it more than a surgeon before his first operation. When I thought all hope was lost and that I'd have to live with a dirt-badged vehicle my mom (who's house I was at so I could have access to a hairdrier and garage) suggested this orange soap stuff by her sink. Me, being the naïve and frustrated idiot I am thought "oh ya, my mom knows everything about car paint and would never suggest something that would damage it in anyway" even if she did call it "orange stuff".

Well let me tell you, it definitely works...

Not only will (I later found out) Gojo industrial hand soap (with pumice particles.... great) remove dirt from your paint, but scuff the s*** out of your clear coat as well.

So now I'm left with a badgeless XD, but barely noticeable scuffs where I applied the Gojo that can be seen when looked for. The problem is I think they will only get worse over time..

So before I start covering my hatch in clear nail polish does someone have any suggestions for me?

Too long, didn't read: I scuffed my clear coat with industrial soap and need a cheap fix that hopefully doesn't involve repainting my car.

Will post pictures in the second post.

I'm not sure ware to post this butt, my daughter spiled pink lemonade in the back seat of my wifes 11 Elantra. Any idea's on what to treat it with. She tryed hiding it from me by covering it up with a couple towles. The stain is pritty big, 3/4 the size of the pass back seat..
Thanks in advanse..

I have no idea where or how, but my entire GT is covered in white paint flakes (and my car is black, so that sucks all the more). I assume they have been on the car for some time, but I thought waxing would take them off. It didn't. However, if I use a lot of elbow grease, Mcguirar's Scratch-X takes them off. It would just be such a b%tch to do the whole car. I'm willing, but I'm hoping there is an easier solution. Can I use a more abrasive compound (like rubbing compound) for the same effect, or do I risk damaging what is left of the clear-coat?

i have an 09, and i removed the "hyundai" and the "elantra" badges off the trunk. looks good the only bad thing is you can still see where the letters were. any help to remove this would be appreciated

Hi, I'm glad I found this site. It will be a help to me as I live with my Elantra. I have a 2004 Elantra GT sedan with 55k miles and I want to keep it for a while. It has been in storage. I am in the process of cleaning it and performing general maintenance.

While looking over the interior, I found that the seat back of the passenger seat has what seems to be a painted finish and that paint is disintegrating. If I rub it with my hand it comes off as a fine powder and reveals the material beneath the paint.

Has anyone any experience with this issue?

Best wishes,
earplay